ALBANY, N.Y. (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Two new offshore wind projects that are expected to begin delivering clean power by 2026 have received funding in another move by Albany to support environmentally-conscious industry transitions, Gov. Kathy Hochul and the New York State Research and Development Authority (NYSERDA) announced on Thursday.
In its fourth offshore wind solicitation, New York state has conditionally awarded funding to projects known as Empire Wind 1, developed by Equinor, and Sunshine Wind, developed by Orsted and Eversource.
“I promised to make New York a place for the renewable energy industry to do business, and we are delivering on that promise,” Hochul said. “Offshore wind is foundational to our fight against climate change, and these awards demonstrate our national leadership to advance a zero-emissions electric grid at the best value to New Yorkers.”
The move is a progression of Hochul’s 10-point Renewable Energy Action Plan that was announced in 2023, and will provide over 1,700 megawatts of clean and locally-produced energy.
According to the governor’s office, these two projects will produce enough energy to power one million New York homes and meet 10% of NYC and Long Island electricity needs.
Empire Wind 1 will be located 15 miles off of New York’s shore, and Sunrise wind will be located more than 30 miles east of the eastern point of Long Island. Each project has completed federal and state permitting milestones, and will ramp up construction activity this year.
“Governor Hochul and NYSERDA have once again shown their commitment to offshore wind and we are grateful that Empire Wind has been selected to help lead the way,” Equinnor Renewables Americas President Molly Morris said. “This is an advanced project that will soon deliver reliable renewable power to hundreds of thousands of New Yorkers, with environmental and economic benefits that begin at the local level and will extend across the state.”
Morris added that groundbreaking at the company’s South Brooklyn Marine Terminal will begin in the spring.
“With these provisional awards in New York’s fourth offshore wind solicitation, we can see all the pieces of the state’s offshore wind economy coming together, and we’re incredibly proud of the role Sunrise Wind will play in this new American clean energy industry.” Ørsted Group EVP and CEO Americas David Hardy said.
Cumulatively, Empire Wind 1 and Sunshine Wind are projected to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by over three million metric tons annually, and provide over $2 billion in economic development investments.
Officials say the projects will create over 800 family-sustaining construction jobs, make investments totaling $135 million in electric grid infrastructure on Long Island and pump over $1 billion into disadvantaged communities.
Both projects were already awarded in 2019 as part of NYSERDA’s first offshore wind solicitation, and as part of Thursday’s awards authorities said that new benefits to the state are required as part of the new contracts.
These benefits include a commitment to purchase a minimum of $188 million of US iron and steel in support of the New York Buy American Act, authorities said.
Thursday’s awards are conditional on Empire Wind 1 and Sunrise Wind’s successful contract execution, Hochul’s office said.
The awards come amid controversy in New Jersey over offshore wind farm developments, with critics from onshore communities claiming that turbines would be visible from beaches and that the industry itself is economically collapsing.
NYSERDA expects to announce awards for land-based renewable projects in April.